Sunday, May 30, 2010

I am honoured to be hosting this weeks Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge, at this time I am in New Zealand with my eldest daughter visiting with my Mum and the family over here, so this post is prescheduled. Today holds a lot of significance for me and I have chosen the following scripture:

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Heb 11:6

The challenge is to use a heart on your card, it can be on your DP, an image or an embellishment. For me the two are closely linked....

I have used the Layers of Color art stamp setRenaissance Hearts - isn't it divine! It has been coloured with SU Chalks and had Kindy Glitz lightly added to give it that shimmer that lifts it.

I have added some bling to along the 'Sunburst' Border Punch by Fiskar.

Faith - so easy to say, it is a word that can be used so easily, but the reality of it can be another thing. I cannot help but thank about the words of my beautiful Nana, who at ninety had suffered a heart attack and it was thought she would not live. I had arranged to ring her and say good bye. I braced myself to make the phone call and was not prepared for the impact her simple words have had in my life. When Mum gave her the phone she said....'...Pet, I have been thinking about what I would like to say to you, and I have two things, the first is 'Keep the Faith.' with everything I have been through in my life I have endeavoured to keep the faith. the second thing is ...'family is God's blessing on earth!'

Such simple statements, but as I have thought about these these things over the years I have realised the depth of what Nana was saying. I am happy to say she went on to live for another fours years and I was honoured to be with her, along with the rest of the family as she went HOME. As we sat with her during those last hours we reflected on Nana and many memories of her, as you do at these times. It was such a joy to be able to share with the family the things that she would want us to know, those two important principals that were the foundations for the life of this amazing Matriarch of the family and of the faith for our family.

It is so easy have have faith when things are going well, but can it can be the greatest challenge, to 'keep the faith' when we really need it! The world says. 'I will believe it when I see it.' as Christians it is quite the opposite - ' we believe it and then we see it! Faith - what is it - we are told in Hebrews ...'Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.' Heb 11:1 - the Message puts it this way...'Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.' it also goes on to say...

'It's impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him. ' Heb 11:6

Today, is the anniversary of Nana leaving her earthly home, to go 'Home where she Belongs.' I reflect on her words and know in my heart that as she said 'keep the faith' that she knew that without it, it is impossible to please God!

Make sure you pop over and see the other DT's creations, you know there is plenty of inspiration from these talented girls:

Thanks you for looking and for your encouraging comments, you make my day! Please know that I may not be able to visit you while I am away as Mum is on dial up (painfully slow) but I will do my best to get across and see you as soon as I come back - I will look forward to seeing you! God bless you!{{{hugs}}}

Thursday, May 27, 2010

I am loving the new Challenge over at SCS - Queen for the Day and this week we are honouring my dear friend and Twisted Sister Deborah Forbes (aka debzi333 aka Yakky) and so many other names - ALL LOVELY of course! LOL!

All hail Queen Yakky! How exciting to see that our very own Deborah aka debzi333 is being honoured as this weeks Queen for the Day - an honour well deserved! In your honour Deb, I have sat up and cased this card and even using an image you sent me, although I must say I do not have your 'flair' with it - sorry about the shadows on the card - it is late and the lighting is causing shadowing. Enjoy your reign my Queen!! LOL!

Who doesn't love these adorable hedgies form Penny Black - they just melt your heart! This post is prescheduled as I am visiting my Mum and family in New Zealand, my DD2 and I are having some time together, which makes this trip that much more special. I am hoping we see some hedgehogs while we are there, they are the cutest things I also want her to see some BIG FAT Bumble Bees - they are nothing like the bees we get here in Australia they are fat and fluffy and gorgeous (unless they sting you that is! LOL)

I have quite a few posts prescheduled as Layers of Color has come EXCITING new releases happening as of 1 June - you are going to love them...I will tease you and say they are NOT stamps!! So please make sure you come back and check it out! I will also have my Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge and Stampin' Sisters in Christ posts prescheduled - you didn't think I was going to miss being part of what is happening in my favourite places to be in Stampville did you!! LOL!

Thank you for visiting and for the lovely comments you leave me - you are always so kind! I hope you are behaving while I am aways - I will be checking up on you when I get back! LOL! God bless you!!

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Greetings everyone and welcome to the last week of our month long Midnight Madness Blogaversary celebration. The Design Team has had a blast with you at the Dance Party and the barbecue and now we have one more surprise for our final festivity.

B

For the last week of our gala event we are rolling out the Red Carpet and are about to embark on a yearly Blogaversary tradition. In honor of the person who started the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge. The design team unanimously chose to name this very special award the "Priscilla Award".Priscilla has inspired, encouraged, motivated, and stimulated everyone of us in our crafting endeavors. She has been our friend, our mentor, our confident, our sister in crafting. She is tireless in her efforts to bring you the best of the best each week and to challenge each and everyone of us to achieve greater heights than we ever thought imaginable. She was humbled by the idea of us coming together to call it the "Priscilla Award", but we as the Design Team thought it was only fitting for the highest honor that someone could achieve on Midnight Madness to be named after our founding individual.

We would like to present to ONE outstanding card/craft person who is represented amongst our GOLD STAR winners of the past year, the coveted "Priscilla Award". Not only that, but it is going to be the "PEOPLES CHOICE". What does that mean - click here to find out!

We will be Announcing the PEOPLES CHOICE next week along with our weekly and month end winners.

The voting will last all week, so tell your friends and family to come vote too.

Voting closes Monday May 31st at 8pm PST

PLEASE VOTE FOR ONE

Like the Oscars, we have to have 'the dress.' All of the 'who's who' of the MMSC crafters will be there and you KNOW - it's all about the dress! I have searched tirelessly to find the perfect one - and here it is....

Talking of dresses - how adorable is this hedgie from Penny Black's Tiny Wishes - she is dressed for the Big Event as well. No pretence here, just straight out earthy goodness.

I won this gorgeous image in a Blog Candy from the lovely Pauline. I love hedgehogs - we have them in New Zealand and used to feed them as kids - there are some that live under my Mum's house - I hope I get to see them...but as adorable as they are, unfortunately they are full of disease!

I stamped 3 images and have coloured her with SU Chalks/Pastels and a Blender Pen

You can see the dimension here, the head has been cut out and coloured separately, making a third layer and then a final layer of the rose, which has had some Kindy Glitz added.

I have also used some of my favourite Stampin' Up DP, which, typically has been discontinued. I have added some gorgeous lace - you know I love lace, and inserted some under the inked slits. I am keen to see what you so with this weeks sketch....speaking of it...here it is

The Design Team have had a lot of fun over the past year, I have had a pleasure of being a player,Guest Diva and a permanent Design Team member and I agree with Priscilla when she says that that this Design Team has been the most fun to play and create with and we are better people having known each and everyone of them. It is with a heavy hearts sharing that two of our wonderful MMDT “originals” will be stepping down to spend some much needed quality time with their families and perusing other avenues this summer. Michelle and Jeni, you will be missed, but I know you will only be a click away. You know by now for me, I don't say goodbye - 'I will see you when I am looking at you girls and you KNOW I will be!' BIG{{{hugs}}} - I {{{heart}}} you!!

So we hope you will have a glass of Champagne - the Design Team will be showing off their RED CARPET DESIGNER DRESSES and we invite you to join in. Who will you be wearing? Be sure to check back on Monday to cast your vote for the "People's Choice Award".

Thank you for looking and for your encouraging comments, you make my day! My Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge post for next week will prescheduled as I will be in New Zealand with my eldest daughter, we are visiting family there....I can't wait to see everyone - my Mum's family is very close and we all grew up together -so it is very special to me, especially taking my DD2, she has not been there since she was 4 - and only 2 sleeps until I go. So please know that I may not be able to visit you while I am away as Mum is on dial up (painfully slow) but I will do my best to get across and see you as soon as I come back - I will look forward to seeing you - you know I will be going through 'withdrawals' - I may even have to sneak to McDonald's to use their WIFI occasionally - LOL! God bless you!

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Hello! I am glad you are here, I have this weeks card for the Stampin' Sisters in Christ - doesn't Sunday come around so quickly! It has been a pleasure to visit those of you who played along with last week's challenge, you are all so gifted and your work is inspiring! This week our hostess is the gorgeous Peggysue Turnerand she has chosen the scripture

"But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." Isaiah 64:6 KJV

Peggysue has challenged us touse distressing or sponge the edges of your project, any chosen technique to give it a vintage or distressed look. This is easy for me as you would know I LOVE distressing!! As I created this card I contemplated the verse that Peggysue chose and my mind went everywhere....

At first it seems to be heavy hitting, although it is, in reality so very true. I think this side of things is never easy to think about, we tend to think more of the promises of God and those things that make us feel good....but the truth is we are just as the Scripture says - I am so relieved to know that it does not finish there - take a deep breath - there is hope for you and me!

The more I have thought about it the more the words of this chorus keep coming to me and I cannot get past it, I have talked with my DH about it, as I do with all of the SSIC challenges and he said to me this morning that if this is what I have, then that is what I should be putting - so here are the words to that chorus..'

'I am covered over with the Robes of Righteousness

that Jesus gives to me

When He looks at me He sees not what I used to be

But He sees JESUS!!'

I like to ponder the Word as I work on my SSIC cards and while I was busy creating with the Layers of ColorNature Walk art stamp set, on this hymnal page, I was reminded of the past few weeks challenges and how God's Word is life changing for us - infact in the Word tells us it is 'health to our flesh and life to our bones'...I for one, am so grateful that the Creator has left us a 'Manual' - why then, is it that we can battle so much reading it!!

As I have looked at this scripture that PeggySue has brought us, I am grateful that God isn't 'gushy' and isn't about what makes us feel good - although that would be lovely, but it also doesn't build character either and after all, isn't that our desire to be more like Jesus. I for one am totally aware that I am not perfect, infact as a Christian I definitely have no doubt, that I am not perfect, but I am certainly committed to the process. I am so aware, as the scripture in Isaiah 64 tells us, that all our righteousness sis as 'filthy rags' - that is pretty heavy hitting isn't it...but what a relief to know that as the words of that chorus reminds us - when God looks at us, He doesn't see what we used to be, but He sees Jesus! The Robes of Righteousness are far more desirable than any Designer gown, which may be beautiful and sort after FOR a TIME, but as for me - I choose my gown - The Robes of Righteousness - by the ultimate Designer - made to fit, personally tailored, covers every unsightly area and clothes me in beauty - the beauty of Jesus!! Praise the Lord for that!!

Revelation 22:11 - tells us even though God acknowledges that it is all filthy rags before Him, but because of the Robes of Righteousness and Salvation He is saying at the end, He is going to bringing both judgement and reward...let us all get fitted with our robes - the benefits are eternal!

A big THANK YOU to this weeks sponsor - Unity Stamp Co.

who have donated this fabulous set as this weeks prize for one random winner.

We can't wait to see all of YOUR creations! You may enter as many times as you'd like!** Please link us to your actual card/project post(s), not just to your blog or gallery, by 11:59 pm PDT (GMT -8) on Saturday, May 29th.

Thank you for looking and for your encouraging comments, you make my day! My Stampin' Sisters in Christ post next week will be prescheduled as I will be in New Zealand with my eldest daughter, we are visiting family there....infact as my post goes live I will just be arriving back at my Mum's after a family gathering - I can't wait to see everyone - my Mum's family is very close and we all grew up together -so it is very special to me - any only 4 sleeps until I go. So please know that I may not be able to visit you while I am away as Mum is on dial up (painfully slow) but I will do my best to get across and see you as soon as I come back - I will look forward to seeing you! God bless you!{{{hugs}}}

Saturday, May 22, 2010

I wanted to share the final pages of the Paper Bag Album I showed you back near Mother's Day - it has been so much fun to create using Layers of Color clear art stamps

This is the album I have made this for my Mum and am taking it home with me - I put a lot of time into this because it is for someone special and I am really happy with the end result. There are a few photos so will just let you know the stamp sets I used as I go and once again will try and keep the chatter to a minimum .

I have used theFlutterescent art stamp set, colouring the butterfly with SU Chalks/Pastels and a Blender Pen, popping the wings up on foam dots

Recycled lace is a regular feature in this album, some with pearls added

Thursday, May 20, 2010

I wanted to share the Paper Bag Album I showed you back near Mother's Day (you can see it here), I had started it and am happy to be able to show you the finished product! It is always fun for me to create using Layers of Color clear art stamps, this time was no exception - I love the journey they take me on as I use each one of them - it makes each project a pleasure!!

I have to let you in on a little secret - I have made this for my Mum and am taking it home with me (in 7 sleeps - wahoo!) - so Mum, if you are looking at this - please shut your eyes...LOL! I did out some extra work into it because it is for someone special and I am really happy with the end result. There are a few photos so will just jet you know the stamp sets I used as I go and keep the chatter to a minimum (well, I will try! LOL!)

The sentiment is a SU Rubon from a RAK and the image is from the Vintage Rose art stamp which had been coloured with SU Chalks/Pastels and a Blender Pen

The tags in this album are very eclectic, the back one has lace down each side and the front one has a RubOn and those adorable flowers are from the Merci Bouquet art stamp set, I have chalked them and added a small pearl to the centre.

I have tried to leave some bigger spaces for photos or journaling, I love this particular lace/braid and added half pearls to the centre of each . The words cut from the DP read. 'Mon Amie' meaning 'my friend' in french - so true of my Mum who has a french background!

I have used the Butterfly Collector art stamp set colouring them with the Chalks and adding Kindy Glitz for that shimmer these images work so well with.

and again on the inside I have used the butterfly from the Butterfly Collector art stamp set and also the ouch from SU and added mini pearls and some chiffon ribbon to the tag!

I have decided to do this in two stages, so I do not overwhelm you with the length of this post - another reason is I just realised I have not photographed a couple of the pages - typical! I will do that today and have part 2 to show you tomorrow - then I will wrap it and pack it.....exciting, I am looking forward to seeing her face when she gets it - you're not peeking are you Mum!??! Seriously it doesn't matter if she is - these things always look so much better in real life and it will still be a surprise!!

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Hasn't it been a great week at the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge - I hope you have managed to get over and have at least one dance!!!! This week the celebrations continue and we are going to be SIZZLING - yes, we are barbecuing and we hope you join is!!

Before we get too far into the festivities, here is my card for this weeks sketch. I have used this image from Lacey at Stamp'n Create called 'Love you Sis' I actually won this set with one of the Wags'nWhiskers Challenges - look at those little faces they are adorable - irresistible!! It reminds me of my two girls when they were younger! Awww!!

I coloured the image with SU Chalks using a Blender Pen. It was then cut out and popped up onto the DP with foam dots.

You can get more of an idea of the dimension in this photo

Now, what did you think of the sketch - I used bling instead of buttons. Being a good girl, I stuck to the number of 'blings' and then added the small pearls inbetween to create a more solid frame around the image....I was not too sure about it at first and was tempted to change the zigzag one to a straighter line, but left it there, to be true to Priscilla's sketch....I am thinking I like it now - what o you think!!? You can be honest with me - I can take it!!

I do love these Midnight Madness Sketches - they can take me right out of my 'comfort zone' but that is one of the things I love about them, I think they have helped me to create more original cards and to think 'outside the square. If you are anything like me when I first started, I felt 'paniced' when I saw the 'fancy' sketches but once I got going I realised they are not that hard at all! So have a look at this week's sketch

Now let’s get to this weeks Party for our Blogaversary Celebration. As promised we are going to have a BBQ. We would like you to share anything that pertains to a BBQ. By posting a comment at the MMSC you will be entered in our random BBQ comment contest. It could be your favorite recipe, favorite game, favorite location, a family picture, or just a fun store. We would love to see what you would like to share with us and in return, our DT have all picked out one of their favorite recipes to share with YOU. So, as you drool over their fantastic creations this week you can also drool over their yummy BBQ dishes - YUMBLY - you make them and we will be there to share! LOL!

Who doesn't love a Barbecue (BBQ) and here in Australia, it is a great social event, whether they are in your backyard, the local park or an elegant occasion - we LOVE to BARBECUE....When I asked my family what their favourite food to have at a BBQ - it was unanimous....SAUSAGES....argh!! Now I can't share that recipe with you but I can share another

great one....

Creamy Potato Bake

I must add that this photo is not of mine - it is of Jamie Oliver's (YUMBLY) his is very plain, mine on the other hand is gordonblu

600ml (2 1/2 cups) cream

1 medium garlic clove, peeled and diced

2kg potatoes (about 10-12 large desiree potatoes)

200g (2 cups, firmly packed) grated tasty cheddar cheese

A handful of diced salami

I large gherkin - finely diced

Pakrika for sprinkling

5 litre baking dish

- Preheat oven to 160 degrees Celsius

- Sautee onions and garlic in a pan until the onion is transparent, then add the diced salami and gherkin

- In the meantime peel potatoes and cut into thin slices.
- Layer the potato slices, adding the sauteed mix between each layer, there will be many layers, so use the sauteed mix sparingly between each....do not add cream and cheese YET!!

- Cover with Cling/Plastic Wrap and microwave for 15 minutes

- Remove the plastic wrap and pour over the cream and cover generously with grated cheese

-Sprinkle with paprika

- Place the dish with potato bake into a larger baking dish that goes up to half way up the potato bake dish - this is to get even cooking - believe me - it does make a difference!!

Bake for about 1 hour on medium hot oven, until potato is tender when tested with a skewer or knife.

Allow the potato bake to stand for about 20 minutes before serving.

For your own safety - stand back - once the word apreads how YUMBLY this is, you could get hurt in the rush!! I am asked to bring this dish to every BBQ we attend and never bring any home!

Now that your senses are awake - let me give you a quick overview of how we do it at our house.....

Our MMSC52 Gold Star Award goes to...

#28 Guro

Our Remarkables Awards this week go to...

#36 Grace#37 Gry-Beate#51 Barbara Anders

Please grab your award logos from the side bar and display them proudly :)

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About Lovely Linda

I am a stay at home Mum who loves her family and loves to take care of them. I love baking and spending time with special people. I have many creative interests but card making has become a real passion for me and I have met so many beautiful people through making them. I feel that cards are something not be discarded but to be re-read when reflecting or when I feel the need to be picked up. They are a constant reminder of my friends and loved ones and those who care for me. They are a celebration of people and occasions in life. So my contribution to you is to make personalised cards where you can express and write the words of comfort and life in them to inspire, encourage or console. Maybe you would just simply like to express to a friend that they are appreciated. I look forward to meeting you!
God bless you, Linda